The protection of the Florida Keys is similar to many others. It takes many organizations to effectively try and conserve the areas. Florida has unique environments including mangroves, marshlands, and coral reefs. Due to the varying habitats multiple groups are involved, such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, along with National Marine Sanctuaries. There is a lot of Floridian assistance as well.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service works with the public in order to enhance the habitat as well as the wildlife in the refuges. There are four refuges of Florida managed under this group. They have law enforcement offices all around the country to ensure the proper enforcement to protect Florida.
The National Park service is in charge of protecting animals, vegetation, as well as historical sites. The area of the Everglades National Park down to the Dry Tortugas National Park in the gulf is the size of Montana. This is the area that is managed by the National Park service. Fort Jefferson, located in the harbor of the Dry Tortuga, is an example of the historic landmarks that are protected under them.
NOAA is in charge of the bigger picture and conducts research in order to assist other groups. Florida has a 3,800- square mile Marine Sanctuary around all the Keys. Among the public NOAA is known as the overprotective parents. They come up with new regulations for fishing, gas emissions, water quality, etc. Though NOAA is viewed as the “bad guy”. They do it in the best interest of our future.
Many colleges around the country devote time to conserve the local wildlife by conducting research. Florida International University has underwater lab called Aquarius. This lab enables them to spend more time conducting research and less time decompressing. They have recently been growing new corals from ones previously on the reef to transplant back on. Unfortunately coral bleaching is plaguing the Florida coral reefs and the only assistance that can be provided is transplantation.
There is no such thing as too much help, but it is important that these groups work together. The public plays a huge role in the protection. Reducing, reusing and recycling are all important as well as conducting cleanups in the area. Even being mindful of the pesticides and hair products we use can make the difference in water quality.
Like the paper we read in class about diverse stakeholders for the restoration and protection of the Florida Keys ecosystem. I agree that it is a team effort and the more people involved in the planning the better the plan will work and be successful in protecting the natural habitat.
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